In observance of that autumn spell when we celebrate the primal instinct of fear, Rainestorm highlights 31 days of spooky scares to season the eerie atmosphere of Halloween.

Reign of terror: 2007

The horror… the horror: El Orfanato, if you please. This superbly tragic ghost story is a chilling multi-mystery centering around an adopted and adoptive mother, Laura, and her torment as she sets about unraveling the fate of her son. Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona has a keen understanding for the rhythms of classic horror, as well as the eye to create a chilling aura. Though the addition of a subplot is something of a red-herring, the screenplay by Sergio G. Sánchez is smart and credible, leading to a heartbreaking climax. Star Belén Rueda has the world-worn beauty of a real woman as opposed to the over-glamorized mannequins that prowl most movie screens, and her face contains enough taut emotion to negate the need for dialogue. There are so many fantastic surprises and revelations that, although the film is languidly-paced, it never runs slow.

Halloween haunt: The orphanage is essentially a big, old haunted house, with doors that open and close of their own accord, mysterious sounds emanating from the walls, and the disembodied voices of children appearing on audio recording equipment.

Tastiest treat: Blowing away similar scenes in the Spielbergian effects-heavy Poltergeist, there’s a nifty little sequence when a team of paranormal researchers investigate the orphanage and uncover something unexpected and horrifying.

Check the candy for: For all you Catholics out there, who’s that on the medallion around Laura’s neck?

Devilish discourse: “Uno, dos, trés, toca la pared.”

Goes great with: The Others (2001). The two are quite similar in tone, theme, and execution, and both contain marvelous twists. Both are helmed by Spanish directors, seemingly the only country in the last decade capable of producing directors who don’t reduce their films to cheap shocks.